Need Some Advice

bugleb · 07-12-2009, 10:56 PM

Ok... so I'm building my first custom rig as my Dell Laptop finally crapped out (thank god). My budget is around $1500... I do alot of programming and gaming so it needs to be decently fast.

I have thrown this list of parts together:

Thermaltake Armor+MX VH8000BWS
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275
Thermaltake W0116RU 750W
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM
ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM2 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink

Will this all work together? Do you guys have an recommendations (while keeping the price about the same)?

dai · 07-13-2009, 12:46 AM

the only thing i would suggest i'd to go for the duo instead of the quad cpu

Sir Arun · 07-13-2009, 03:42 AM

I say stick with the Quad. Now is the dawn of games that will start making use of all 4 cores like GTA IV and FSX. Even if you'd stick with Duo, your only option would be a E8600 which isn't much cheaper than a good Quad (all other Duos have inferior gaming performances FPS-wise compared to the E8600 and Q9550 or Q9650)

Tumbleweed36 · 07-13-2009, 05:15 AM

I think you would be wiser to stick with a dual core like the e8500 or e8600 at this time. They are smoking CPU's when it comes to performance.

By the time games (there are a very few at this time) are developed that use the quad core capabilities, you will be most likely purchasing a new rig. That is my opinion. The e8500 and e8600 core CPU's are simply outstanding for gamers.

**Tyree** · 07-13-2009, 07:53 AM

Same here, go with the Dual Core E8500
Cheaper RAM; CORSAIR XMS 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 $47.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

bugleb · 07-13-2009, 09:05 AM

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

Do you have any suggestions for a heat sink? I just kinda picked that one out without doing any research on them.

Also, is the 750W psu enough and is TT good quality? Really I just picked it because I was looking for a modular one.

I was also considering this one:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750HX 750W

I went with the TT only because it was cheaper.

Tumbleweed36 · 07-13-2009, 09:34 AM

I would go for the Corsair if I were choosing a PSU, it is stronger and cheaper at this point in time.

Also, don't buy that Zalman cooler you have listed....it is for AMD processors and not Intel if my memory serves me correctly.

The Zalman 9700 would be a nice addition if you plan to overclock a lot, but if not in to overclocking the stock fan will work fine. When browsing for a nice aftermarket heatsink/fan combo, make sure it is for the Intel CPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118019

**Tyree** · 07-13-2009, 10:14 AM

Same Intel Zalman without the light.
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT $39
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118003

bugleb · 07-14-2009, 09:54 AM

Does anybody have any suggestions on a media drive?

dai · 07-14-2009, 10:13 AM

what do you want
dvdrw
dvdrw+ b/ray player
dvdrw+ b/ray burner and player

i prefer liteon and pioneer drives

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...D/DVD%20Drives

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...CD-DVD-Burners

bugleb · 07-14-2009, 11:17 AM

Yeah I was looking at the Lite-Ons... this is what I had in mind:

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Retail

dai · 07-14-2009, 11:34 AM

it will be fine

Tumbleweed36 · 07-14-2009, 11:41 AM

I also like the Lite-on CD/DVD type drives. They are excellent.

Sir Arun · 07-15-2009, 03:54 AM

Is there a big difference between 22x and 24x?

Tumbleweed36 · 07-15-2009, 05:33 AM

While a difference, don't think it is that big of a deal IMHO.

bugleb · 07-15-2009, 09:49 AM

For some reason I keep second guessing my PSU. Will 750W be enough?

**wrench97** · 07-15-2009, 02:32 PM

If your willing to give up Modular connectors use the 850TX> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9009&Tpk=850TX
Or
http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSM900N.htm
Or
http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC084.htm

bugleb · 07-15-2009, 09:25 PM

I was looking at that... I just don't want to be stuck with a case full of loose wires. I'm not sure of how big/small this case really is once everything is put in and how much room there is behind the tray for wires.

Anybody have any experience with the TT Armor case?

dai · 07-16-2009, 12:28 AM

if it is this one it should not be a problem

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/ttarmor/

**wrench97** · 07-16-2009, 01:24 AM

There is plenty of room in the armor case to stash wires, I usually use an unoccupied drive bay to coil the excess in.

07-12-2009, 10:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
bugleb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6 OS: winxp	Need Some Advice Ok... so I'm building my first custom rig as my Dell Laptop finally crapped out (thank god). My budget is around $1500... I do alot of programming and gaming so it needs to be decently fast. I have thrown this list of parts together: Thermaltake Armor+MX VH8000BWS GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 Thermaltake W0116RU 750W Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM2 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink Will this all work together? Do you guys have an recommendations (while keeping the price about the same)?

07-13-2009, 12:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,569 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Need Some Advice the only thing i would suggest i'd to go for the duo instead of the quad cpu __________________

07-13-2009, 03:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sir Arun Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 42 OS: 64-Bit Windows Vista Home Premium SP1	Re: Need Some Advice I say stick with the Quad. Now is the dawn of games that will start making use of all 4 cores like GTA IV and FSX. Even if you'd stick with Duo, your only option would be a E8600 which isn't much cheaper than a good Quad (all other Duos have inferior gaming performances FPS-wise compared to the E8600 and Q9550 or Q9650)

07-13-2009, 05:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,647 OS: XP Professional	Re: Need Some Advice I think you would be wiser to stick with a dual core like the e8500 or e8600 at this time. They are smoking CPU's when it comes to performance. By the time games (there are a very few at this time) are developed that use the quad core capabilities, you will be most likely purchasing a new rig. That is my opinion. The e8500 and e8600 core CPU's are simply outstanding for gamers. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

07-13-2009, 07:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,525 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Need Some Advice Same here, go with the Dual Core E8500 Cheaper RAM; CORSAIR XMS 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 $47. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-13-2009, 09:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
bugleb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6 OS: winxp	Re: Need Some Advice Thanks for the replies so far guys. Do you have any suggestions for a heat sink? I just kinda picked that one out without doing any research on them. Also, is the 750W psu enough and is TT good quality? Really I just picked it because I was looking for a modular one. I was also considering this one: CORSAIR CMPSU-750HX 750W I went with the TT only because it was cheaper. Last edited by bugleb; 07-13-2009 at 09:26 AM.

07-13-2009, 09:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,647 OS: XP Professional	Re: Need Some Advice I would go for the Corsair if I were choosing a PSU, it is stronger and cheaper at this point in time. Also, don't buy that Zalman cooler you have listed....it is for AMD processors and not Intel if my memory serves me correctly. The Zalman 9700 would be a nice addition if you plan to overclock a lot, but if not in to overclocking the stock fan will work fine. When browsing for a nice aftermarket heatsink/fan combo, make sure it is for the Intel CPU. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118019 __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 07-13-2009 at 09:35 AM.

07-13-2009, 10:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,525 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Need Some Advice Same Intel Zalman without the light. ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT $39 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118003 __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-14-2009, 09:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
bugleb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6 OS: winxp	Re: Need Some Advice Does anybody have any suggestions on a media drive?

07-14-2009, 10:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,569 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Need Some Advice what do you want dvdrw dvdrw+ b/ray player dvdrw+ b/ray burner and player i prefer liteon and pioneer drives http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...D/DVD%20Drives http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...CD-DVD-Burners __________________

07-14-2009, 11:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
bugleb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6 OS: winxp	Re: Need Some Advice Yeah I was looking at the Lite-Ons... this is what I had in mind: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Retail

07-14-2009, 11:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,569 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Need Some Advice it will be fine __________________

07-14-2009, 11:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,647 OS: XP Professional	Re: Need Some Advice I also like the Lite-on CD/DVD type drives. They are excellent. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

07-15-2009, 03:54 AM	#14 (permalink)
Sir Arun Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 42 OS: 64-Bit Windows Vista Home Premium SP1	Re: Need Some Advice Is there a big difference between 22x and 24x?

07-15-2009, 05:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,647 OS: XP Professional	Re: Need Some Advice While a difference, don't think it is that big of a deal IMHO. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

07-15-2009, 09:49 AM	#16 (permalink)
bugleb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6 OS: winxp	Re: Need Some Advice For some reason I keep second guessing my PSU. Will 750W be enough?

07-15-2009, 02:32 PM	#17 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,469 OS: Win7	Re: Need Some Advice If your willing to give up Modular connectors use the 850TX> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9009&Tpk=850TX Or http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSM900N.htm Or http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC084.htm __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-15-2009, 09:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
bugleb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6 OS: winxp	Re: Need Some Advice I was looking at that... I just don't want to be stuck with a case full of loose wires. I'm not sure of how big/small this case really is once everything is put in and how much room there is behind the tray for wires. Anybody have any experience with the TT Armor case?

07-16-2009, 12:28 AM	#19 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,569 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Need Some Advice if it is this one it should not be a problem http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/ttarmor/ __________________

07-16-2009, 01:24 AM	#20 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,469 OS: Win7	Re: Need Some Advice There is plenty of room in the armor case to stash wires, I usually use an unoccupied drive bay to coil the excess in. __________________ Power Supply and Selection